When should we have DD's birthday party?

I know we didn't plan this well but the baby is due to arrive the day after DD2's 3rd birthday. So far all 3 babies have come early (from few weeks to a few days) so we're not sure when to plan her birthday party. I'm happy to be heavily pregnant or have a newborn at the party but I don't really want to run the risk of organising everything and then go into labour on the planned day or something.

Our thoughts at the moment are that we wll have the party either a month before or a few weeks, maybe even a month after her birthday, but we are not sure if people will think this is strange or not? This just seems the only way to definitely make sure I'm not having the baby on the day of the party unless someone has another suggestion on what we could do to work around our silly situation?

We do know her birthday is still a while away but I like to send invitations out at least a month before the day and when DS starts school I'll be back at work until I start maternity leave so I'm trying to get a few things organised before then so I just have to make the invitations and things closer to when the party is.

I would have it the month before, only because a month after her birthday will be a long time for a little one to wait for her party day to come. And your family and friends won't think it's weird because they will understand the reason you're doing it

I'm due 4 days before DS's birthday and haven't even thought about it yet. I was induced prior to 40 weeks due to GD last time so I might just wait and see if that is likely to happen again before giving it much thought.

What sort of party are you planning? Honestly, at age 3, my girls just had small family parties - as in us, and the grandparents, maybe an aunt and uncle. No invitations. Very simple, and very easy to change the date at the last minute.

We usually have our families, plus any good friends with kids come along as well.

We were thinking of getting a jumping castle because there will be lots of kids but perhaps we should look at something simpler. We just wanted her to have something special just for her because we don't want her to feel her birthday is overlooked because of the new baby etc.

I would personally have her birthday early - that way she doesnt have to wait for so long after the actual day for her party and it will also be much easier for you without a newborn to juggle as well.I hope she has a beautiful day!

I'd plan it for the weekend of, or the weekend after, your DD's birthday. If you're used to having them earlier, and you don't mind having a newborn there, then you've got a better chance of not going into labour on her actual birthday (given your history of your first 3 children). There is no way you'll know or can avoid going into labour... but it sounds like you've got more chance going into labour before and I think it's better for your DD to celebrate her birthday on (or as close to) her birthday. But keep it simple

In spite of being in an almost constant state of motion while looking after the kids and trying to keep things together at home, it can seem as though parents have managed to get nothing on the to-do list done by the end of the day.

A French court may have ruled out Nutella as a baby name, but that doesn't have to stop you from taking inspiration from the supermarket (or bottle shop). See what parents in the US have chosen for their delicious little ones.